Connection device for wrist watches



July 30, 1935. J. DINHOFER 2,009,483

CONNECTION DEVICE FOR WRI ST WATCHES Filed Jan. 10, 1935 !NVENTOR Patented July 30, 1935 UNITED STATES- 2 Claims.

This invention relates to an improvement in connection devices for wrist watches and has for its object to provide a means for facilitating an easy, yet perfectly secure, connection between the wrist band, cord or strap and the case of the wrist watch. Such a connection, as contemplated by this invention, facilitates the removal of a wrist band or strap from a watch and enables such band, cord or strap to be carried and sold separately by the jeweler or store keeper.

A further object of the invention is to provide a connection device of the character mentioned wherein adjustments, hinged locking elements and other small parts likely to wear or become easily broken, are dispensed with.

In the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a wrist watch provided with connection devices at the ends of the wrist band or cord; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of a part of the watch case and one of the connection devices, showing how the connection device is engaged with the loop on the watch case; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through the structure of Fig. 2;- Fig. 4 is a similar sectional view showing how the connection device is moved for disengagement from the watch-case loop; Fig. 5 is a view of the structure of Fig. 4, taken at right angles thereto; and Fig. 6 is a view of the rear of the connection device.

In the drawing, Ill indicates a watch-case of conventional form or shape, provided at its opposite ends with the usual projecting loops or eyes I I for engagement by the connection device 12. The connection member has a Ushaped front plate l3, formed at one of its ends with a socket having rolled portions M for receiving and holding the ends of the wrist-encircling cords 15. If a wrist strap, ribbon or band is used instead of the cords I5, the socket portions 14 are shaped accordingly to properly receive and hold the ends of such wrist-encircling member.

Secured to the rear face of the plate I3 is a U-shaped spring having a pair of elongated spring arms ll, connected at one end by the integral cross bar l8 which is rigidly secured by being soldered or otherwise fastened to the plate I3. The spring arms I! in their normal position of separation are shown in Figs. 1 and 6. These arms are provided at their free ends with inwardly projecting parts or studs l9 which have beveled or inclined end surfaces 20 which converge toward the cross bar l8 of the U-shaped member, as clearly shown in Fig. 6.

The spring arms I! are adapted, when the loop H is inserted between the inclined surfaces 20 on studs l 9, to spread outwardly as shown in Fig 2, permitting the studs l9 to then snap within the loop I l, as shown in Fig. 1. The inclined surfaces 20 thus constitute cam surfaces which facilitate the entry of the studs I9 into loop I I. When the connection device has thus engaged the loop, it will be obvious that it cannot become inadvertently disengaged therefrom, since all strain will be imposed longitudinally of the connection member in a direction away from the watch case.

The removal of the connection device is simple, as disclosed in Figs. 4 and 5. When the watch is removed from the wrist, the connection member is swung to a vertical position, or to a position substantially at right angles to the plane of the watch case, as shown in Fig. 4, and is then pushed upwardly or in the direction of the arrow. When pressure in an upward direction is imposed on the connection device (or a downward pressure on the watch), the inclined cam surfaces 20 on studs [9 moving against the upper part 21 of the loop II will cause the spring arms I! to spread apart, as shown in Fig. 5, so that the connection device moves free from its engagement with the loop. Before this easy disconnection of the device, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, can be had, it will be obvious that the connection device must be disposed vertically or nearly -so, or to a position substantially at right angles to the watch, as shown in Fig. 4. This abnormal position of the connection device is one which it never assumes during wear of the watch, so that the possibility of the connection device being inadvertently disengaged from the watch case during wear is avoided.

It will be obvious from the foregoing that a simple and sturdy connection device is provided which may be snapped into instant engagementwith the watch case loops and as easily removed therefrom. The use of coil springs and other minute catch parts often employed in wrist watch connection devices, is obviated, so that a sturdy, trouble-proof device results.

What I claim is:

1. A catch member adapted for use with a watch case having a loop, said catch member comprising a. yoke having its legs spaced apart for embracing the loop, a spring arm supported beneath each leg and substantially oo-extensive with the length thereof, an inwardly extending stud on the outer end of each arm with the end face of the stud bevelled from the outer end inwardly, the distance between the outer portions of the bevelled ends of the studs being slightly greaterthan the width of the loop whereby the studs are automatically spread apart when the catch member is engaged with said loop to permit entry of the studs into said loop and when said catch is turned at right angles to be disengaged from said loop, the distance between the free ends of the legs of the yoke and the watch case being less than the diameter of the studs whereby movement of the yoke towards the case will be unaffective for disengaging the studs from the loop.

2. A catch member adapted for use with a watch case having av loop, said catch member comprising a yoke, a pair of spacedresilient arms normally concealed by the yoke, an inwardly extending stud on the outer end of each arm with 1 the opposed ends of the studs bevelled, the studs being normally spaced apart a distance suflicient to present the bevelled ends thereof for contact with the opposite side edges of the loop to permit entry of the studs into said loop and when said catch is turned at right angles to be disengaged from said loop, the distance between the yoke and watch case being less than the diameter of the studs whereby movement of the yoke towards the case will be unaffective for disengaging the studs 10 from the loop. I

JULIUS DINHOFER. 

